Photo of locally grown and sold produce. — Fruit and vegetable growers who sell produce through farmer’s markets and roadside stands will find useful information at the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program webinar Oct. 22. (Photo by Todd Johnson, Oklahoma State University Agricultural Communications Services)

Register now for Oct. 22 Specialty Crop CFAP webinar

Friday, October 16, 2020

Producers of pecans, grapes, fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and Christmas trees should register now to participate in an Oklahoma State University Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for Specialty Crops webinar on Oct. 22.

Nursery and greenhouse operators, as well as producers who sell their produce through farmers markets, roadside stands, market gardens and the like can also gain valuable insights about program details, eligibility and how to apply, said Becky Carroll, OSU Extension horticulturist.

“This is the second round of CFAP payments. Unlike growers of wheat and similar crops, many of these producers might not be used to working with their local Farm Service Agency office, which they will need to do to take advantage of the assistance program,” she said.

The webinar will begin at noon. There is no cost to participate. Advance registration is required and can be done online. Links to register and additional information are also available through the OSU Extension Facebook pages for fruit management, grape management and pecan management. Inquiries and questions also can be sent to Carroll by email at becky.carroll@okstate.edu.

The webinar will be led by Amy Hagerman, OSU Extension agricultural and food policy specialist, and Josh Lundy of the Garvin County FSA office. Carroll also will be available to answer questions.

Jointly hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency and OSU Extension, the webinar gives producers an opportunity to hear from experts and ask questions before contacting their FSA county office about enrollment.

“This is a complicated program, especially for producers who may not have applied for an FSA program before,” Hagerman said. “There is some flexibility in the timing of submitting documents, and producers may be asked to repay any overages due to inaccuracies in the application or documentation. Taking part in the webinar can help put a producer in the best possible position right from the start.”

Eligible producers can sign up for CFAP 2 through Dec. 11. A full list of eligible commodities can be found online through the USDA website.

OSU Extension is one of two state agencies administered by the university’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and is a key part of OSU’s state and federally mandated teaching, research and Extension land-grant mission.

MEDIA CONTACT: Donald Stotts | Agricultural Communications Services | 405-744-4079 | donald.stotts@okstate.edu